Fuelled by optimism

What was your first job, and how did you get into IT?

Telemarketing at a reseller. It was tough, but a good grounding. I fell into that when a recruiter explained I could make four times the money in IT sales versus the wine sales job I went looking for, so I asked him to put me forward for the IT job.

What is your favourite joke, or the one you heard most recently?

My 21 years in the industry have taught me that having been born a Scouser, my sense of humour is best not committed to print.

What never fails to make you sad or disappointed?

Humanity. Too many people go through their glass-half-empty life without a smile on their face.

Tea or coffee, and how do you have it? Water. I've been caffeine free (mostly) for a year or so and feeling better for it. My guilty pleasure is a decaf soy cappuccino with Truvia - it's almost dessert when you don't drink much caffeine.

What is one thing you miss from being a kid that you no longer do or can do?

Sleep in till 3pm. I can't do it because someone has to wake up my teenage kids!

If you were given too much change in a shop, would you give it back?

It depends how much we're talking about.

If you could only be one, would you rather be right, or happy?

Happy. No one is right all the time.

Which is more important: a good leader, or the team as a whole?

The team. Leaders are nothing without a team.

What was your most important lucky break in life so far? Did you make the most of it?

Meeting my wife. Did I make the most of it? She's still my wife!

s telling little white lies wrong?

Seriously? This is IT sales we're talking about...

What has been your toughest moment at work so far, and how did you resolve the situation?

Being torn off a strip by the MD of IT at CSFB 10 years ago in front of my whole team. He banged his fist on the table and yelled "I can sign this f***ing deal today..." (we didn't know that previously). What did we do? We closed the deal for nearly ￡2m. Thanks Magnus!

Where would you like to go or what would you like to do on your next holiday?

Anywhere hot and absolutely nothing. I'd settle for the Maldives or Bora Bora.

Do you or have you read ChannelWeb on your mobile or other handheld device?

Tablet not mobile - the eyes aren't what they used to be.

Will there always be value in printed books and magazines?

Probably not always, but still for a long time I think. People just like books.

Would you rather draw up the plans, or carry them out?

That's a tough one. Drawing up the plans is fun, but nothing beats the buzz of making it work.

If you were king or queen, what would you do first?

Fire myself. The monarchy is an outdated irrelevance and a drain on the economy.

What are your three greatest accomplishments (so far)? My three kids. I know how badly it could have turned out!

Can politicians ever be trusted on IT? Please explain.

Why just on IT? No, obviously not.

If you had your time again, what would be your next choice of career?

Next choice? My first choice would have been finance. If I worked this hard there, I'd be retired by now!

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